Listening to Classic FM on the radio this morning I heard again this beautiful piece of music.The Banks of Green Willow composed by George Butterworth.
I was reminded that this piece was composed in 1913 when Butterworth was on active service on the Western Front.,
George Butterworth joined the British Army as a private in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry but later accepted a commission as a subaltern in the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry where he was promoted to temporary Lieutenant. He was awarded the Military Cross in August 1916 but did not live to receive it. He was shot by a sniper at the Battle of the Somme on the 5 August 1916 and his body hastily buried where he fell, at the side of the trench. Tragically, his body was never recovered, but his name is inscribed on Thiepval Memorial.
Butterworth's music dates between 1910-1913 with this, The Banks of Green Willow, perhaps his most poignant work , which was composed in 1913.
You can listen to recordings of The Banks of Green Willow on You Tube.
It wasn't all about fighting on the Western Front.
The troops spent long tedious hours when nothing much was happening, so with great endeavour the men found ways to entertain themselves. To alleviate the boredom the men would play cards, such as pontoon and brag and a board game called Crown and Anchor.
When away from the front line the men were able to have more free time, and once their morning routines had been completed games of football could take place, mostly against each other but occasionally against other units in the area. There was also the opportunity to visit the local areas and the etsaminets, small cafes that sold food and wine, became a place where the men could find some consolation in home cooked food and companionship.
Music Halls, variety shows and theatres were all very popular during the war and the troops found the opportunity to bring this form of entertainment to the Western Front. Music and singing could provide huge escape for them.
The men would sing sentimental songs which reminded them of wives and girlfriends at home. Occasionally someone would have a gramophone sent out to them from home with boxes of popular records. Officers being sent home on leave were often instructed to bring back a new record so that a collection could be built up.
Singing helped to lift the spirits and when the wine and beer flowed the men were able to forget their troubles, and as the alcohol took effect, the song words became slightly more bawdy, which had a great effect on their morale !
